Video display apparatus and control method thereof, and video output apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

When a video output apparatus ( 100 ) is connected, a video display apparatus ( 200 ) obtains information of content data stored in the video output apparatus ( 100 ). Then, based on the obtained information, the video display apparatus ( 200 ) determines whether the content data is decodable with respect to itself. If it is not decodable, it requests the video output apparatus ( 100 ) to decode the content data before transferring the content data using a data transfer method specified. By doing this, an appropriate transfer protocol is selected automatically when transferring content data between the video display apparatus ( 200 ) and the video output apparatus ( 100 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/361,125,filed Jan. 28, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to video display apparatuses and controlmethods thereof as well as video output apparatuses and control methodsthereof, and particularly relates to techniques of setting data transfermethods between video output apparatuses and video display apparatuses.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is an increasing number of users who connect a video outputapparatus such as a digital camera or a video camera to a video displayapparatus such as a television to view camera-captured content. In orderto achieve such functionality, an interface that connects theapparatuses supports a plurality of transfer protocols such as filetransfer and stream transfer, and carries out communications whileswitching the protocol that is used when necessary.

That the apparatus interface supports a plurality of transfer protocolsis advantageous in that the user has many choices, but on the other handit unit that the user must select one of the choices. Furthermore, thereis an issue in that selection may be difficult for users who areunfamiliar with transfer protocols.

For a configuration in which a memory device and a content displayapparatus are connected, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-236138discloses a method for switching transfer protocols in response to aprocess selected by the user in an application. Specifically, a streamtransfer protocol is selected when the user requests content playback,and a file transfer protocol is selected when there is a drag and dropoperation.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-304459 discloses atechnique in which, in a case where a video/audio playback apparatus iscapable of outputting both analog signals and digital signals, arecommended output is determined from a state of validity of analogoutput/digital output of the video/audio playback apparatus and a stateof OSD (on-screen display) output.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-236138,the protocol to be selected in response to user operation is fixed. Forexample, the stream transfer protocol is always selected when contentplayback is to be performed.

For this reason, problems may occur depending on the type of data thatis undergoing operation. For example, in a case where a user, who istrying to view video content using a viewer application built in atelevision, has performed a drag and drop operation on image data of aformat not supported by the viewer application, the user will not beable to view the image data.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-304459 isalso unable to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised in consideration of these issuesof conventional techniques, and provides a video display apparatus andcontrol method thereof, and a video output apparatus and control methodthereof that are capable of automatically selecting an appropriatetransfer protocol when content data is transferred.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided avideo display apparatus that obtains content data from a video outputapparatus using one of a plurality of transfer protocols and displaysthe obtained content data, comprising: a first obtaining unit thatobtains, from the video output apparatus, information of content data,information regarding at least a coding scheme; a first determinationunit that determines whether the content data is decodable by the videodisplay apparatus based on information regarding a coding schemeobtained by the first obtaining unit; a determining unit thatdetermines, when it has been determined by the first determination unitthat the content data is not decodable by the video display apparatus,among the plurality of transfer protocols, a transfer protocol in whichthe content data is decoded at the video output apparatus andtransferred by a stream transfer; and a request unit that specifies thetransfer protocol determined by the determining unit and requests thevideo output apparatus for transfer of the content data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda video output apparatus that outputs content data stored in a storagedevice to a video display apparatus using one of a plurality of transferprotocols, comprising: a first obtaining unit that obtains, from thevideo display apparatus, information regarding at least a coding schemefor content data stored by the video display apparatus; a firstdetermination unit that determines a coding scheme decodable by thevideo display apparatus based on information regarding a coding schemeobtained by the first obtaining unit; a determining unit thatdetermines, when it has been determined by the first determination unitthat the coding scheme of the content data stored in the storage deviceis not a coding scheme decodable by the video display apparatus, amongthe plurality of transfer protocols, a transfer protocol in which thecontent data is decoded at the video output apparatus and transferred bya stream transfer; and a notification unit that notifies the videodisplay apparatus of the transfer protocol determined by the determiningunit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a control method of a video display apparatus that obtainscontent data from a video output apparatus using one of a plurality oftransfer protocols and displays the obtained content data, comprising: afirst obtaining step of obtaining, from the video output apparatus,information of content data, including information regarding at least acoding scheme; a first determination step of determining whether thecontent data is decodable by the video display apparatus based oninformation regarding a coding scheme obtained in the first obtainingstep; a determining step of determining, when it has been determined inthe first determination step that the content data is not decodable bythe video display apparatus, among the plurality of transfer protocols,a transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded at the videooutput apparatus and transferred by a stream transfer; and a requeststep of specifying the transfer protocol determined in the determiningstep and requesting the video output apparatus for transfer of thecontent data.

According to yet further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a control method of a video output apparatus that outputscontent data stored in a storage device to a video display apparatususing one of a plurality of transfer protocols, comprising: a firstobtaining step of obtaining, from the video display apparatus,information regarding at least a coding scheme for content data storedby the video display apparatus; a first determination step ofdetermining a coding scheme decodable by the video display apparatusbased on information regarding a coding scheme obtained in the firstobtaining step; a determining step of determining, when it has beendetermined by in first determination step that the coding scheme of thecontent data stored in the storage device is not a coding schemedecodable by the video display apparatus, among the plurality oftransfer protocols, a transfer protocol in which the content data isdecoded at the video output apparatus and transferred by a streamtransfer; and a notification step of notifying the video displayapparatus of the transfer protocol determined in the determining step.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a contentdata transfer system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention that has been configured such that a video display apparatusand a video output apparatus are connected communicably.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a manner of display on thevideo display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention when the video display apparatus and the video outputapparatus are connected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a launch setting screen of aviewer application displayed on the video display apparatus according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for describing a communication procedure inspecifying a transfer protocol from a sync device 200 to a source device100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing details of a process fordetermining a method of transfer in S413 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing details of a process carried out inS506 in FIG. 5 of determining the transfer method based on a GUIrendering capability.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for describing a communication procedure inspecifying a transfer protocol from the sync device 200 to the sourcedevice 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that without limitative description to the contrary,specific structural members and functions, shapes, and relativearrangements thereof described in the embodiments are exemplificationsand are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a contentdata transfer system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention that has been configured such that a video display apparatusand a video output apparatus are connected communicably.

In FIG. 1, a video output apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to assource device) and a video display apparatus 200 (hereinafter referredto as sync device are communicably connected via a connection line 300.

In the present embodiment, the source device 100 is assumed to be acamera for example. A control unit 101 of the source device 100 performsoverall control of the following portions.

An imaging unit 102 is provided with a lens for forming an image of asubject image, an image sensor for converting the subject image, whichhas been formed into an image by the lens, into electrical signals ofpixel units, and an A/D converter that performs A/D conversion on theelectrical signals output by the image sensor and outputs pixel data.The pixel data is input to a signal processing unit 103.

The signal processing unit 103 is constituted by a level correctionunit, a white balance correction unit, a gamma correction unit, a colorprocessing unit, a color difference conversion unit, and a codec unit.The signal processing unit 103 applies signal processing according tosettings on the pixel data input from the imaging unit 102 and storesthis in a format of raw data or JPEG data via a bus 107 to a storageunit 104.

The data format at the time of storage can be set by the user forexample and may be set such that the contents of equivalent scenes thathave been captured are stored in a single data format or may be set suchthat the contents of equivalent scenes that have been captured arestored in a plurality of different data formats.

The storage unit 104 is provided with a memory device, and informationsuch as storage location (directory) information, coding scheme, framefrequency, data format information, and image size information of thecontent data that is stored is managed as a content profile.

A GUI generating unit 105 renders content information such as date/timeof capture and file name, and text and graphical information such as anoperation guide of the source device 100 or the sync device 200 on a GUIplane of the video memory. Then this is superimposed on the videosignals of the content decoded by the signal processing unit 103 andoutput to an external I/F unit 106.

Based on a transfer control method to be described later, the externalI/F unit 106 executes stream transfer and/or file transfer betweenitself and the sync device 200.

In the present embodiment, at the time of a stream transfer, theexternal I/F unit 106 outputs to the sync device 200 video signals ofthe content specified by the user via the GUI generating unit 105. Andat the time of a file transfer, it outputs to the sync device 200 infile units the content data obtained from the storage unit 104. In acase where content data has undergone file transfer to the sync device200, it is necessary to carry out a decoding process of the content datain the sync device 200.

In the present embodiment, the sync device 200 is a digital televisionand is provided with a receiving unit 201, which receives broadcastsignals and outputs video signals and audio signals, and a storage unit202, which stores as content data the video signals and audio signalsobtained from the receiving unit 201.

At the time of a stream transfer, an external I/F unit 203 outputs thevideo signals and audio signals of external input that has been inputfrom the source device 100 to an output unit 205 via a bus 212. At thetime of a file transfer, the data received from the source device 100 isstored in predetermined file units as content data in the storage unit202.

A signal processing unit 204 obtains video signals and audio signals ofthe content from the storage unit 202 and outputs to a display unit 206and an audio output unit 207 via the output unit 205.

A GUI generating unit 208 renders content information such as date/timeof capture and file name, and text and graphical information such as anoperation guide of the sync device 200 on a GUI plane of a video memoryof the sync device 200. Then this is superimposed on the video signalsof the content decoded by the signal processing unit 204 and output tothe output unit 205. Furthermore, the GUI generating unit 208 alsoperforms rendering and outputting for other GUIs such as display ofmenus of the sync device 200 and program information received throughbroadcast signals.

When the user operates a remote controller 209, operational content isreceived by an operation input unit 210 and output to a control unit211. At the time of a stream transfer, the control unit 211 sends keyoperations of the remote controller 209 to the source device 100 via theconnection line 300 as pass-through commands for controlling the sourcedevice. On the other hand, at the time of a file transfer, it eitherprocesses the key operations of the remote controller 209 as keyoperations indicating actions of the sync device 200 or converts the keyoperations of the remote controller 209 as control commands by whichrequests such as directory operations and searches or the like of thesource device 100 are carried out, and sends these via the connectionline 300. The source device 100 executes appropriate processes inresponse to received commands and returns process results to the syncdevice 200 when necessary.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the external I/F units 106and 203 support transfer protocols of at least file transfer and streamtransfer, but they may also support other protocols. Furthermore, theconnection line 300 is not limited to being wired and may be wireless.

Next, description is given regarding actions when a digital camera 100as the source device and a digital television 200 as the sync device areconnected according to the present embodiment.

When the user connects the source device 100 to the sync device 200 byconnecting the external I/F units 106 and 203 using the connection line300, the GUI generating unit 208 of the sync device 200 displays an iconfor commencing operations of the source device 100 on the display unit206 (FIG. 2). In the example of FIG. 2, an icon 213 is an icon forcommencing operation of the source device 100.

When the user uses the remote controller 209 to carry out an operationof pressing the icon 213, such an operation being regarded as a requestfor commencement of operation of the source device 100, the control unit211 of the sync device 200 sends a command to the source device 100through the external I/F unit 203 requesting power to be turned on.Furthermore, the control unit 211 reads out and launches a viewerapplication stored in the storage unit 202 for example. Further still,as is described later, the control unit 211 specifies a transferprotocol to the source device 100.

In the present embodiment, the viewer application that is executable bythe sync device 200 includes:

-   (1) an external input viewer application for displaying and    outputting external input signals that have been decoded by the    source device 100 and input as a stream transfer, and-   (2) an internal viewer application for displaying and outputting    content data, which has undergone file transfer and is stored in the    storage unit 202, with the decoding performed by the signal    processing unit 204.

Here, the user can set which of the viewer applications to launch inresponse to the operation commencement request. For example, when thecamera 100, as the source device, is first connected to the sync device200, the GUI generating unit 208 may display a settings screen on thedisplay unit 206 to allow the user to perform the settings. FIG. 3 is adiagram showing an example of a launch setting screen of the viewerapplication.

Selectable items on the launch setting screen include auto 301, anexternal input viewer 302, and an internal viewer 303. The user canspecify one of these items and give instruction to the sync device 200by performing a focus movement and a decision operation using up/downkeys on the remote controller. A description dialog box 304 describes anoutline of the setting item being focused on, and therefore the user canreference the description dialog box 304 and grasp details of each itemin more detail. Launch settings corresponding to items specified fromthe launch setting screen may be stored in the storage unit 202 forexample.

In a case where the user specifies the item “external input viewer”,when the user next connects the sync device 200 and the source device100, the sync device 200 launches the external input viewer applicationand requests the source device 100 for a stream transfer.

On the other hand, in a case where “internal viewer” is specified, whenthe user next connects the sync device 200 and the source device 100,the sync device 200 launches the internal application and requests thesource device 100 for a file transfer.

When “auto” is specified here, an appropriate protocol is determinedautomatically for the stream transfer protocol and the file transferprotocol as the transfer protocol requested to the source device 100 inaccordance with a procedure to be described below.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for describing a communication procedure inspecifying a transfer protocol from the sync device 200 to the sourcedevice 100.

When the control unit 211 of the sync device 200 detects via theexternal I/F unit 203 that the source device 100 has connected (S401,S402), it sends a command to the source device 100 to confirm the deviceclassification (S403). Upon receiving this command, the control unit 101of the source device 100 returns the device classification as a response(S404). At this time, the control unit 211 can confirm that the deviceconnected to the external I/F unit 203 is a camera.

The control unit 211 sends a further command to query the source device100 about device information (S405) and in response to this, the controlunit 101 returns device information such as manufacturer, serial number,and firmware version as a response (S406).

Next, the control unit 211 queries the source device 100 aboutcorresponding transfer protocols (S407) and the control unit 101 returnscorresponding transfer protocols as a response (S408). With thisresponse, the control unit 211 can confirm that the source device 100supports stream transfer and file transfer.

Next, the control unit 211 queries the source device 100 about theprofiles of content data stored (S409) and the control unit 101 returnsas a response the profiles that have been read out from the storage unit104 of the content data (S410). As described earlier, content profilesinclude information such as the coding scheme of the content data, thefile format as the storage system, the number of pixels, and the framefrequency.

Further still, the control unit 211 queries the source device 100 aboutinformation relating to the GUI rendering capability (S411). The controlunit 101 of the source device 100 returns as a response informationrelating to the GUI generating unit 105, for example, the width/heightof the GUI plane, the color bit depth, and particularly informationrelating to picture quality, such as the number of gradations oforiginal image data of icons to be rendered, for example (S412).

When the processing up to here finishes, the control unit 211 of thesync device 200 determines the transfer protocol based on informationobtained from the source device 100 (S413). Then, the viewer applicationfor viewing content is launched and instruction is given to the sourcedevice 100 of the transfer protocol that has been specified. Adescription is given later concerning the process for determining themethod of transfer.

When it is determined that the stream transfer protocol will be used asthe transfer protocol, the control unit 211 of the sync device 200launches the external input viewer application (S414) and displays andplaybacks the content data that has undergone stream transfer from thesource device 100 (S415 and S416).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the file transfer protocolis to be used, the control unit 211 launches the internal viewerapplication (S417) and sends a command to query directory information ofthe content data stored in the storage unit 104 of the source device 100(S418). Upon receiving this command, the control unit 101 returnsdirectory information of the content data to the sync device 200 as aresponse (S419).

Based on the received directory information, the control unit 211requests the source device 100 for a file transfer (S420). Having beenrequested for a file transfer, the control unit 101 of the source device100 successively transfers content data to the sync device 200 (S421).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing details of the process fordetermining the method of transfer in S413 in FIG. 4.

From information relating to the coding scheme, which is contained inthe content profile obtained in S410, the control unit 211 determineswhether the content data is in a format decodable by the signalprocessing unit 204 (S502).

When determined that it is decodable by the signal processing unit 204(yes in S503), the control unit 211 sets a sync decoder flag(hereinafter, sync dec. flag)=1 and a source decoder flag (hereinafter,source dec. flag)=1 (S504).

Then, a process of determining the transfer method is executed based onthe GUI rendering capability (S506). Detailed description is givenlater, but in this process of determining the transfer method, a syncGUI flag and a source GUI flag are set. The control unit 211 determinesthe transfer method (transfer protocol) in response to values of thesync dec. flag, the source dec. flag, the sync GUI flag, and the sourceGUI flag.

On the other hand, when determined that it is undecodable by the signalprocessing unit 204 (no in S503), the control unit 211 sets the syncdec. flag=0 and the source dec. flag=1 (S505).

Then, in S507, the control unit 211 determines the streaming transfer tobe the transfer method.

In S508, the control unit 211 launches the viewer applicationcorresponding to the transfer method (transfer protocol) that has beendetermined and requests the source device 100 for a data transfer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing details of a process carried out atS506 in FIG. 5 of determining the transfer method based on the GUIrendering capability.

Based on the content profile obtained in S409, the control unit 211determines whether format conversion is necessary by the sync device 200when displaying and outputting the content data (S602). Here, formatconversion includes aspect ratio conversion and interlace-progressiveconversion (IP conversion) and the like.

When it is determined that format conversion is necessary, the controlunit 211 sets the sync GUI flag=1 and the source GUI flag=0 (S607).

When it is determined that format conversion is unnecessary, the controlunit 211 determines that a video signal processing capability of thesync device 200 is equivalent to that of the source device 100. Then,the control unit 211 compares the GUI rendering capability of the sourcedevice obtained in S412 and the GUI rendering capability of the syncdevice (S604).

When a result of the comparison is that it is determined that therendering capabilities are equivalent (yes in S604), the control unit211 sets the sync GUI flag=1 and the source GUI flag=1 (S605). Here, theGUI rendering capabilities being equivalent is not limited to beingcompletely the same, for example, it may be sufficient when differencesin the width/height of the GUI plane, the number of gradations and thecolor bit depth when rendering data are within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the rendering capabilities arenot equivalent (no at S604), the control unit 211 determines whether theGUI rendering capability of the sync device 200 (capability of the GUIgenerating unit 208) is higher (S606).

When it is determined that the GUI rendering capability of the syncdevice 200 is higher (yes at S606), the control unit 211 sets the syncGUI flag=1 and the source GUI flag=0 (S607). On the other hand, when itis determined that the GUI rendering capability of the sync device 200is lower (no at S606), the control unit 211 sets the sync GUI flag=0 andthe source GUI flag=1 (S608). Here, the rendering capability being lowermay be a case where the width or height of the GUI plane is small, acase where the number of gradations is low, or a case where the bitdepth is shallow.

Then, the control unit 211 determines the transfer method (transferprotocol) in response to values of the sync dec. flag, the source dec.flag, the sync GUI flag, and the source GUI flag (S609).

Table 1 shows a relationship between values of the sync dec. flag, thesource dec. flag, the sync GUI flag, and the source GUI flag and thetransfer method to be determined according to the present embodiment.

TABLE 1 Sync Source Sync Source Transfer Application to dec. dec. GUIGUI method be launched 0 1 — — Stream External input viewer 1 0 1 StreamExternal input viewer 1 0 File Internal viewer 1 1 Stream/(file)External input viewer/ (Internal viewer)

Here, it is shown that when all the flags are 1, that is, when all thefollowing conditions are met:

content data decodable by sync device 200

format conversion by sync device 200 unnecessary

GUI rendering capabilities equivalent in sync device 200 and sourcedevice 100

then either stream transfer or file transfer may be determined. Forexample, in a case where stream transfer is set in advance as thedefault, then stream transfer is to be determined.

Otherwise, excluding a case where the content data is decodable by thesync device 200 and the GUI rendering capability of the sync device 200is higher than the GUI rendering capability of the source device 100,stream transfer is determined.

For this reason, stream transfer is requested for content data thatcannot be decoded by the sync device 200, and therefore the sync devicecan obtain video that has been decoded by the source device 100, makingit possible for the user to view.

Furthermore, in a case where the content data is decodable by the syncdevice 200, if there is a difference in GUI rendering capabilities, thenthe transfer method is determined such that decoding is carried out bythe side having the higher GUI rendering capability, thereby enablingthe user to view and operate a GUI of high picture quality.

In this way, with the present embodiment, an appropriate transferprotocol can be selected automatically when transferring content datadepending on whether the content data of the source device (video outputapparatus) can be decoded by the sync device (video display apparatus).

Further still, in a case where the sync device is capable of decodingthe content data, then the transfer protocol is determined such thatdecoding is performed by one of the source device and the sync devicehaving the higher GUI rendering capability, thereby making it possibleto provide the user with a GUI having high picture quality.

Second Embodiment

Next, description is given regarding a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the first embodiment, description was given regarding a configurationin which the sync device determines the transfer method (transferprotocol) and requests the source device for the transfer method thathas been determined. In contrast to this, the present embodiment isdifferent in being a configuration in which the source device determinesthe transfer method (transfer protocol).

In the second embodiment, based on the formats supported by the syncdevice 200 and the GUI rendering capability of the sync device 200, thesource device 100 determines transfer method and gives notification tothe sync device 200 of the transfer method that has been determined. Thesync device 200 launches the appropriate viewer application based on thetransfer method for which notification has been given by the sourcedevice 100 and gives instruction to the source device 100 ofcommencement of transfer.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for describing a communication procedurefor the sync device 200 to specify for the source device 100 thetransfer protocol for which notification has been given from the sourcedevice 100. In FIG. 7, same reference numerals are assigned toequivalent procedures from FIG. 4 and duplicate description thereof isomitted.

Processes from where the sync device 200 detects connection of thesource device 100 until carrying out the query of device classification(S401 to S403) are in common with the first embodiment.

Due to the query of device classification from the sync device 200(S401), the control unit 101 of the source device 100 detects that thesync device 200 has been connected. Then, when it returns a response ofits own device classification to the sync device 200 (S404), the controlunit 101 of the source device 100 then sends a command querying deviceinformation to the sync device 200 (S705).

In response to this, the control unit 211 of the sync device 200 returnsinformation such as manufacturer, serial number, and firmware version asa response (S706).

Thereafter, until the query of the GUI rendering capability (S711) andthe response to that (S712), the same processing is carried out (S707 toS712) as in S407 to S412 in the first embodiment except that thedirection of sending commands and responses to the commands is reversed.

In this series of processes, the control unit 101 of the source device100 obtains the transfer protocols supportable by the sync device 200(S708), the profiles of content data stored by sync device 200 (S710),and the GUI rendering capability of the sync device 200 (S712)respectively.

When processing up to here is finished, the control unit 101 of thesource device 100 determines the transfer method (S713) based oninformation obtained in the processes of S706 to S712, then givesnotification to the sync device 200 of the transfer method that has beendetermined (S714). It should be noted that the coding schemes decodableby the sync device 200 can be inferred from the content profiles thatare obtained. That is, content data stored by the sync device 200 isconsidered to be in a format that is decodable by the sync device 200,and whether content data is in a format decodable by the sync device 200is determined based on information relating to the coding schemes in thecontent profiles.

The method for determining the transfer method is the same as S413 inthe first embodiment. Accordingly, in a case where content data storedby the storage unit 104 of the source device 100 cannot be decoded bythe signal processing unit 204 of the sync device 200, a stream transferis determined. Furthermore, in a case where content data can be decodedby the signal processing unit 204 of the sync device 200, the transfermethod is determined so that playback can be performed using apparatushaving the higher GUI rendering capability.

The processes after notification of transfer method at S714 are the sameas in the first embodiment, and therefore further description isomitted.

As with the first embodiment, the present embodiment is also capable ofautomatically selecting an appropriate transfer protocol when contentdata is to be transferred. Further still, it also enables the GUI to beviewed with excellent picture quality.

Other Embodiments

In the foregoing embodiments, in a case where the content data isdecodable by the sync device (video display apparatus), the transferprotocol is determined giving further consideration to the GUI renderingcapabilities. However, it is not necessary in the present invention togive consideration to the GUI rendering capability. If the content datais in a format that cannot be decoded by the sync device, at least theproblem of not being able to view the content data can be solved byautomatically selecting a protocol by which the content data is decodedby the source device for transfer.

Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiments, description was given of aconfiguration in which consideration is given to whether formatconversion by the sync device is necessary, then consideration is givento the GUI rendering capability only in a case where format conversionis unnecessary, but consideration may also be given directly to the GUIrendering capability without giving consideration to the necessity offormat conversion.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2008-025737, filed on Feb. 5, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein its entirety.

1. A video processing apparatus that obtains content data from a videooutput apparatus using one of a plurality of transfer protocols,comprising: a determining unit that determines whether the content datain the video output apparatus is decodable by the video processingapparatus, and determines a transfer protocol in which the content datais decoded in the video output apparatus and transferred to the videoprocessing apparatus, if it is determined that the content data in thevideo output apparatus is not decodable by the video processingapparatus; a request unit that requests the video output apparatus totransfer the content data from the video output apparatus to the videoprocessing apparatus by using the transfer protocol determined by thedetermining unit; and a generating unit that generates a text or graphicimage to be displayed with a video image based on the content data, andwherein, if it is determined that the content data is decodable by thevideo processing apparatus, the determining unit compares a text orgraphic image processing capability of the video output apparatus and atext or graphic image processing capability of the generating unit ofthe video processing apparatus, and determines, as the transferprotocol, a transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded inthe video output apparatus and transferred to the video processingapparatus if the text or graphic image processing capability of thevideo output apparatus is higher than the text or graphic imageprocessing capability of the generating unit.
 2. The video processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the text or graphic imageprocessing capability of the generating unit is higher than the text orgraphic image processing capability of the video output apparatus, thedetermining unit determines, as the transfer protocol, a transferprotocol in which the content data is transferred to the videoprocessing apparatus without being decoded in the video outputapparatus.
 3. The video processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded inthe video output apparatus and transferred to the video processingapparatus is a stream transfer protocol.
 4. The video processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said transfer protocol in whichthe content data is transferred to the video processing apparatuswithout being decoded in the video output apparatus is a file transferprotocol.
 5. The video processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said text or graphic image processing capability is a capabilityof rendering content information of the content data or operation guide.6. A video output apparatus that outputs content data stored in astorage device to a video processing apparatus using one of a pluralityof transfer. protocols, comprising: a determining unit that determineswhether the content data stored in the storage device is decodable bythe video processing apparatus, and determines a transfer protocol inwhich the content data is decoded in the video output apparatus andtransferred to the video processing apparatus if it is determined thatthe content data stored in the storage device is not decodable by thevideo processing apparatus; and a transfer unit that transfer, inresponse to a request from the video processing apparatus, the contentdata stored in the storage device to the video processing apparatus byusing the transfer protocol determined by the determining unit; wherein,if it is determined that the content data is decodable by the videoprocessing apparatus, the determining unit compares a text or graphicimage processing capability of the video output apparatus and a text orgraphic image processing capability of the video processing apparatus,and determines, as the transfer protocol, a transfer protocol in whichthe content data is decoded in the video output apparatus andtransferred to the video processing apparatus if the text or graphicimage processing capability of the video output apparatus is higher thanthe text or graphic image processing capability of the video processingapparatus.
 7. The video output apparatus according to claim 6, whereinif the text or graphic image processing capability of the videoprocessing apparatus is higher than the text or graphic image processingcapability of the video output apparatus, the determining unitdetermines, as the transfer protocol, a transfer protocol in which thecontent data is transferred to the video processing apparatus withoutbeing decoded in the video output apparatus.
 8. The video outputapparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer protocol in whichthe content data is decoded in the video output apparatus andtransferred to the video processing apparatus is a stream transferprotocol.
 9. The video output apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid transfer protocol in which the content data is transferred to thevideo processing apparatus without being decoded in the video outputapparatus is a file transfer protocol.
 10. The video output apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said text or graphic image processingcapability is a capability of rendering content information of thecontent data or operation guide.
 11. A control method of a videoprocessing apparatus that obtains content data from a video outputapparatus using one of a plurality of transfer protocols, comprising: adetermining step of determining whether the content data in the videooutput apparatus is decodable by the video processing apparatus, anddetermining a transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded inthe video output apparatus and transferred to the video processingapparatus, if it is determined that the content data in the video outputapparatus is not decodable by the video processing apparatus; a requeststep of requiring the video output apparatus to transfer the contentdata from the video output apparatus to the video processing apparatusby using the transfer protocol determined in the determining step; and agenerating step of generating a text or graphic image to be displayedwith a video image based on the content data, and wherein, if it isdetermined that the content data is decodable by the video processingapparatus: said determining step further comprises a comparison step ofcomparing a text or graphic image processing capability of the videooutput apparatus and a text or graphic image processing capability ofvideo processing apparatus; and said determining step determines, as thetransfer protocol, a transfer protocol in which the content data isdecoded in the video output apparatus and transferred to the videoprocessing apparatus if the text or graphic image processing capabilityof the video output apparatus is higher than the text or graphic imageprocessing capability of the video processing apparatus.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein in said comparison step, if the text orgraphic image processing capability of the video processing apparatus ishigher than the text or graphic image processing capability of the videooutput apparatus, said determining step determines, as the transferprotocol, a transfer protocol in which the content data is transferredto the video processing apparatus without being decoded in the videooutput apparatus.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein saidtransfer protocol in which the content data is decoded in the videooutput apparatus and transferred to the video processing apparatus is astream transfer protocol.
 14. The method according to claim 12, whereinsaid transfer protocol in which the content data is transferred to thevideo processing apparatus without being decoded in the video outputapparatus is a file transfer protocol.
 15. The method according to claim11, wherein said text or graphic image processing capability is acapability of rendering content information of the content data oroperation guide.
 16. A control method of a video output apparatus thatoutputs content data stored in a storage device to a video processingapparatus using one of a plurality of transfer protocols, comprising: adetermining step of determining whether the content data stored in thestorage device is decodable by the video processing apparatus, anddetermining a transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded inthe video output apparatus and transferred to the video processingapparatus if it is determined that the content data stored in thestorage device is not decodable by the video processing apparatus; and atransfer step of transferring, in response to a request from the videoprocessing apparatus, the content data stored in the storage device tothe video processing apparatus by using the transfer protocol determinedin said determining step; wherein, if it is determined that the contentdata is decodable by the video processing apparatus, said determiningstep further comprises a comparison step of comparing a text or graphicimage processing capability of the video output apparatus and a text orgraphic image processing capability of the video processingapparatus,and said determining step determines, as the transferprotocol, a transfer protocol in which the content data is decoded inthe video output apparatus and transferred to the video processingapparatus if the text or graphic image processing capability of thevideo output apparatus is higher than the text or graphic imageprocessing capability of the video processing apparatus.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein if the text or graphic image processingcapability of the video processing apparatus is higher than the text orgraphic image processing capability of the video output apparatus, saiddetermining step determines, as the transfer protocol, a transferprotocol in which the content data is transferred to the videoprocessing apparatus without being decoded in the video outputapparatus.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said transferprotocol in which the content data is decoded in the video outputapparatus and transferred to the video processing apparatus is a streamtransfer protocol.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein saidtransfer protocol in which the content data is transferred to the videoprocessing apparatus without being decoded in the video output apparatusis a file transfer protocol.
 20. The method according to claim 16,wherein said text or graphic image processing capability is a capabilityof rendering content information of the content data or operation guide.